H 509: MPH Practicum Experience

H 509 MPH practicum is a supervised work experience in a public health or health care administration setting. It is open to majors in public health.
Details
H 509 is an elective course that is built around an approved experiential learning opportunity with a public health or health care administration organization. It is a great option for you to gain more real-world, applied public health experiences before graduating.
The practicum experience (H 509) is separate from the MPH internship experience (H 539), with separate competencies, learning objectives and learning agreement.
A practicum can be completed with the same site and preceptor as the internship as long as the scope of work (including products, learning objectives and competencies) is different for each.
Number of credits
Number of credits is based on number of hours completed with the site over the course of the term. Generally, a practicum is 1-3 credits.
- 1 credit = 30-40 hours
- 2 credits = 60-80 hours
- 3 credits = 100-120 hours
Individually arranged
The course/experience is individually arranged between you, site preceptor and the MPH internship coordinator.
Modality
Practicum experiences can be completed in-person, hybrid or remote.
Criteria
H 509 can be completed after you have earned at least 9 credits in the MPH program.
The practicum is project-based, and provides an opportunity for you to develop at least 1 deliverable/product. The deliverable/product should show competency attainment of at least one MPH competency.
The practicum experience is supervised by a preceptor with training/experience that directly relates to the practicum project.
The practicum is approved by you, the site preceptor, your faculty advisor, and the MPH internship coordinator before registering in the course.
Registration process
Discuss and identify
Discuss interest in completing H 509 practicum with your faculty advisor and the MPH internship coordinator prior to seeking out a practicum experience.
Identify a practicum experience and site preceptor.
- Confirm project, and that there is an opportunity to develop at least one product/deliverable that will show demonstration of at least one MPH competency.
- Check with site preceptor and the MPH internship coordinator to see if an affiliation agreement between the two institutions is in place, or if one needs to be established.
Discuss details with MPH internship coordinator including:
- Site
- Preceptor
- Project
- Deliverable(s)/product(s) that will be developed in the practicum, and what competency(s) will be demonstrated
Learning agreement
Complete the H 509 Practicum Learning Agreement.
The finalized, fully signed learning agreement is due by Friday of Week 10 the term before the practicum begins.
Site onboarding
Complete site onboarding requirements (e.g., background check, drug screening, required trainings) and arrange a schedule with the practicum site.
Register
You need to complete the Practicum Learning Agreement before you can register.
Register in H 509, begin practicum and complete H 509 assignments.
Practicum examples
Practicum experiences vary widely. Projects are based on site need and student interest. Below are a few examples, and there are many, many more possibilities. Reach out to the internship coordinator to discuss more.
- Work with non-profit to design a survey or focus group script
- Work with health system to analyze a small data-set and write up results
- Work with health department to support community health assessment / community health improvement planning
- Work with organization to develop policy brief
- Work with health department to create data visualizations
Contact
Tonya Johnson, MPH
MPH Internship Coordinator